Chapter 24 NANCY #2
William rolled his eyes and bounced off the side of the limo, extending his hand to Jemima. “A pleasure to meet you…” He spoke in a deep monotone that gave away his deafness.
“Jemima. You too.” She glanced at Kim with a look of relish before climbing in.
William was dangerously sweet. Six-foot-three of urbane athleticism dripping in Armani, sporting a golden tan, dimpled chin, baby-blue eyes, and the same chestnut hair as Alex, shaved short on the sides and raffishly flowing on top.
“I’m AJ. Good to meet you, bruv.” He shook William’s hand and joined Jemima on the bench seat.
“And you must be Kim.” William held her gaze, almost eye to eye with the height of her heels. He lifted her hand, and brought her knuckles to his lips.
“Yeah,” she whispered.
He shot her a killer white smile and guided her into the limo. I turned to enter next, but Alex drew me back. “How are you feeling?”
I placed my hands on his abs and caressed up to the delicious ridge of his pecs, peeking through the soft cotton. “I had a lovely long nap, and after a glass of champagne, I’m feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy a night out with my friends…and my boyfriend.”
Alex’s grin was instant.
It was the first time I’d used the word boyfriend to describe him. Something inside me had been holding back, hedging my bets, but as I stood before him now, our eyes travelling over each other, I knew I was desperate for him too.
“I’m a very fortunate man.” He traced his fingers to the golden dove pendant.
“Mum gave it to me.”
“It’s just like your tattoo,” he mused, lifting my arm to spin me on the spot so he could kiss the flying dove.
I closed my eyes to the flutter in my belly.
“Get a move on or get a room, you two,” Jemima called from the limo, followed by a round of sniggers.
I glanced over my shoulder. “Shall we?”
Alex nodded and followed me into the back seat, sitting close. He removed his cap. “I’m Alex. It’s great to meet you, Jemima, Kim, AJ.” He shook their hands in turn.
“Nice to finally meet you.” Kim glanced at me with a knowing smile.
“Do you drink champagne, Kim?” Alex gestured to a magnum of vintage Krug resting in an ice bucket next to a row of flutes.
“Yeah, sure, thanks.”
“Jemima, AJ?”
“Thanks,” they chimed, and Alex spent the next minute casually serving us.
“This is lit, Alex.” AJ accepted the glass and looked around the limo, coloured by LED mood lighting that matched the bass of the cheesy Europop rumbling from the speakers.
“I’m glad you like it. It’s not how I usually travel, but this evening is special.” Alex turned to me with a flute, and I brushed his fingers as I took it, holding his gaze in private conversation.
Jemima giggled at the sexual tension and raised her glass. “Happy birthday, Nancy! Here’s to a great night.”
I broke away to join the toast. William leaned forward, extending his hand. “It’s great to meet you, Nancy. Alex speaks very highly of you.”
“It’s great to meet you, too. Alex told me how close you two are. I hope we can chat more.”
“I’d like that.” William smiled, sitting back and clinking Kim’s flute, who I could see was doing her best to play it cool.
It’s gonna be an interesting night.
I relaxed into the buttery leather, and Alex draped my legs over his, circling my freshly shaved thigh just below the skirt line. I took a sip of champagne and tried to concentrate, but could only focus on his light caress that seemed to charge every nerve below my waist.
“So, who’s performing tonight?” Alex asked.
“Some local grime acts and then a DJ till late,” AJ outlined.
“He does a mix of stuff through his set. Should be bare nang.” Alex nodded, although I was fairly sure he didn’t know what AJ’s last phrase meant.
He was in our world tonight, yet he appeared more at ease with the situation than I’d expected.
We spent the rest of the slow ride to Brixton chatting and laughing. It made my heart sing to see everyone come together on my birthday. And, with Alex beside me, everything felt right. It was what I’d always hoped for but never dared to imagine.
The limo pulled up outside a sandy brick municipal-looking building that had become one of Brixton’s hottest music venues.
The queue of people waiting to get in gaped at the gleaming vehicle, then eyed us as we exited like celebs on the red carpet.
Alex pulled his cap low, turning his head away from the crowd while remaining hidden behind his brother.
AJ bumped fists with the doorman and, after a brief chat, we were let in to audible tuts from the queue.
The six of us filtered through the already crowded warehouse to an empty spot near the stage where we could watch the first MC perform.
Jemima stood with AJ, who’d slipped into Patois with his mates.
William and Kim broke off to the heaving bar, returning sometime later with a round of beers and a tray of J?gerbombs, which had my head spinning from the caffeine and alcohol burst.
As promised, Alex kept me close the entire time, his arms locked around my waist, pressing in from behind to shield me from the more energetic partygoers.
I knew rap wasn’t his thing, but nevertheless, he looked chilled and interested, tapping William’s arm ever so often to speak in rapid British Sign Language.
“Is William enjoying it?” I asked. “There’s a lot of vocals to the mike. Can he read them okay?”
“He’s having fun, but that may be more about Kim.” Alex smiled knowingly.
I looked over and saw William’s hand resting on the small of Kim’s back, who was smiling and chatting, turned away from the stage so he could read her lips. “Yeah, they’ve hit it off.”
“She’s just his type. Blonde, glamorous, and confident.”
“In that order?” My lips curled sardonically. Alex responded by slowly running his lips along the shell of my ear. I closed my eyes and leaned back into his chest.
After the acts finished, the DJ took the stage, enticing the crowd to dance. Heat built into a sweatbox with the late hour and pressed pleasure-seekers. All inhibitions now vanished to drink, beats, and bodies.
I danced face to face with Alex to a remix of an eighties R&B track that set our tempo. He cupped my ass while I draped one arm over his shoulder, the other moving to the beat.
He leaned in and brushed my lips tauntingly, building my restlessness until I itched. Then, he kissed me.
Even with the gyrating crowd, we were alone.
I ground against his rough denim and moaned into his mouth, the intimate vibration urging him on. His tongue dipped, lapping the aniseed from my last shot, and I couldn’t help but imagine what that mouth could do to me elsewhere if given the chance. I wrapped my arms around him, our bodies flush.
Alex gripped my ass tighter, almost lifting me off the ground. His tongue caressed mine, and I could feel the threads of his restraint dissolving by the second as his erection pressed hard against my thigh, so close…so hot…so—
I yanked back, breathless.
“Let’s get some air,” I mouthed and took his hand, leading us to the staircase.
The roof terrace was much quieter, and the cool early morning air was welcome after the clinging heat of the dance floor.
I spied Kim and William on a couch in the far corner, laughing and posing for selfies, his arm wrapped around her, holding her close in unmistakable intimacy.
“They’re cosy,” I said, and turned to meet Alex’s primal gaze.
“Let’s find a quiet spot of our own,” he murmured.
Oh, god, what’s he expecting?
I’d been a prick tease all night, but equally, I wasn’t sure I was ready to get more physical, especially in a public place. “Sure, I—I just need to go freshen up.”
His gaze softened, and he took my hands and squeezed. “Would you like another drink, bella?”
I drew in a long breath of fresh air and felt calmer. “A Henny and Coke and a bottle of water would be great.” He nodded and leaned in for a gentle kiss.